The MVP Debate: Evaluating the MVP Choices of the 2010’s Part 2
By Max Greenfield
Continuing this series in the evaluation of the MVP choices of the past decade, we have arrived at the arrival of Mike Trout winning MVPs. Trout was the deserving choice in years prior but didn’t pick up his first MVP award until the middle of the decade. Were his NL counterparts also deserving? The voters faired alright in the first part of this series but seemed to be doing better as the years went on.
2014
American League MVP- Mike Trout
Did they get it right?
After years of being kept out of the award, Trout finally won the MVP. He deserved it as well. To think, Trout won his first MVP in arguably the worst season of his career so far. His 7.7 rWAR and 8.3 fWAR are the lowest marks of his career in which he played over 140 games. And that’s the greatness of Mike Trout. Even at his worst, he’s still better than everyone else. One day we will be appreciative of the player that we saw every day in Mike Trout.
National League MVP- Clayton Kershaw
Did they get it right?
For the second time this decade, a pitcher won the MVP. It’s not unreasonable for a pitcher to win an MVP award, and though I had an objection to Verlander winning the MVP, I understand Kershaw winning it this year. Kershaw was incredible. In just under 200 innings, he had a 49 FIP-, 56 xFIP- and a 2.09 SIERA. He was on another plane of existence that year and he deserved the MVP. Jonathan Lucroy is the only person that comes to mind that could have won. A 7.8 WARP, 8.2 fWAR, a 133 wRC+ and a 22.3 FRAA that year. It took a historic offensive season for Posey to win the MVP and Lucroy didn’t have that. Lucroy could have won but I’m ok with Kershaw winning the MVP.
2015
American League MVP- Josh Donaldson
Did they get it right?
I like Donaldson a lot. He was a great player in Oakland and made his career into a Hall of Fame consideration worthy career in Toronto. Unfortunately for him, he plays in a league with Mike Trout who deserved this MVP. Trout had a higher fWAR and rWAR in this season. A higher wRC+, more DRS, and was just the better player this year. Donaldson had a great year, and maybe any other year he could have won, but Trout was significantly better than he was that year.
National League MVP- Bryce Harper
Did they get it right?
Harper has arrived! After making waves in the postseason the year prior, it seemed like Harper was primed for a breakout and he did just that. Harper was incredible in 2015. Harper posted a 9.7 rWAR and 9.3 fWAR. With an incredible 197 wRC+ which was the highest in a single season since Barry Bonds. When you’re being compared to arguably the greatest hitter in the history of baseball, you’re doing something right. There wasn’t anybody relatively close to him all year. Harper delivered on the season everyone thought he was capable of. He hasn’t repeated this performance, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility for him to do it again.
2016
American League MVP- Mike Trout
Did they get it right?
Winning the 2nd MVP of his career, Trout put together his 10-win season by rWAR measures. It is one of Trout’s best seasons all around. At the plate, he put together his first season of four straight 17% or higher BB% seasons. He had a 170 wRC+ and a .430 xwOBA. Meaning he could have potentially been even better than what he was that year. He also had 6 DRS that year, giving him solid defense. Trout provided nearly 10 runs of value on the bases that year as well. All in all, it was another dominant year for Mike Trout.
National League MVP- Kris Bryant
Did they get it right?
Following up on his rookie of the year campaign, Bryant had solidified himself as one of the top players in baseball in 2016. Bryant led the NL in both rWAR and fWAR. He was also 4th in wRC+ and provided more defensive value than the 3 others in front of him combined. Bryant led the Cubs on their historic championship run. The writers nailed both of the MVP votes this year and there’s just a feel-good element to Bryant winning the MVP in 2016.
